The wedding consultant you hire should have extensive contacts in your
area with hotels, caterers,
florists, wedding
photographers, dress
designers, cake
designers and musicians. He/she should have experience successfully
planning wedding events similar in size and scope to the wedding you
are planning.

If you will be having a kosher
reception, make sure the wedding consultant you hire is knowledgeable
about your dietary requirements and can provide a list of kosher caterers.
He/she should also be able to provide you with a selection of kosher
wines.

To find a qualified wedding planner ask couples that were recently
married, hotel managers, bridal shop owners and family or friends. Meet
with several wedding planners before selecting one. During your initial
consultation, get a list of references and be prepared to discuss how
you envision your Jewish wedding and reception.

If you feel the planner is pressuring you, into a certain type or style
of celebration or they want you to work with their contacts only, find
someone else. Additionally, if you do not believe he/she understands
and respects your religion and the kosher diet you want to provide,
during your Jewish
wedding ceremony and reception, find someone else.

Discuss their fee schedule. Some professional wedding planners work
for a flat fee, some bill at an hourly rate, while others charge a percentage
of your total wedding cost. Before signing a contract -get everything
in writing!

Once you've selected a Jewish wedding planner be sure to stay in frequent
contact. Keep detailed notes of all decisions made, monies spent and
changes to any plans you've previously agreed upon.

Wedding planners are expensive, but if they have contacts and understand
the industry they should be able to save you time and money.

If you can not afford a Jewish wedding planner, guidance and advice
is still available. Bridal shop managers, hotel managers country club
managers and caterers can all provide assistance.